Everything to sort out before China
Entry rules, payments, internet and transport change fast. Each briefing shows the date it was last checked against official sources.
Practical briefings
China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: The 2026 Rules
Up to 10 days in China without a visa, if you are flying on to a third country. Who qualifies, which ports and areas count, and the mistakes that get people refused boarding.
China Online Arrival Card: How to Fill It In (2026)
Every foreign visitor fills in an arrival card — and since November 2025 you can do it online before you land. Where to file, what it asks and how to avoid scam sites.
How to Book China Train Tickets as a Foreigner (12306 Guide)
Booking high-speed rail with a foreign passport on the official 12306 app or website — registration, timing, payment and getting through the gates.
China High-Speed Rail: Journey Times Between Key Cities
Typical fastest journey times on the routes travellers use most — so you can decide where the train beats a flight.
Getting Around China: Metro, DiDi, Maps and Taxis
How to move around Chinese cities without speaking Chinese — the apps that work for foreigners and how to pay for them.
China Tax Refund for Tourists: How to Claim (2026)
Spend 200 yuan or more in a participating store and you can reclaim VAT when you leave China — sometimes on the spot. How the departure tax refund works.
Your First 24 Hours in China: An Arrival Checklist
What to set up before you leave home and what to do in the first hours after landing — so payment, internet and transport work from the start.
Best Time to Visit China: A Month-by-Month Guide
China spans subarctic Harbin and tropical Hainan, so “the best time” depends on where you go. Seasons, public holidays to avoid and what each month is good for.
Checkers and calculators
Visa-Free Checker
Check your passport against the 30-day and 240-hour rules.
Alipay & WeChat Pay
Set up mobile payments with a foreign card.
Internet & VPN
Staying connected behind the firewall.
China eSIM Benchmarks
Data plans compared.
Travel & Medical Insurance
What cover you need.
Trip Cost Calculator
Estimate your daily budget.
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